Rattlesnakes are only found in the new world. Species exist in North, South, and Central America. In the U.S. and Canada there are 30 known species. Most prefer high dry habitats, but many can be found on high ridges near, or within wetlands, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Wrapping up my trio of west coast-based articles today, I’m focusing on California mussels (Mytilus californianus). When we walked down the beach near Malibu, every single rock was covered in these bulky shells. Packed in close together, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
If you’ve ever gone scuba diving or seen underwater footage of the cold waters off the Pacific coast, you’ll likely recognize giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera). The strappy greenish-brown blades of this seaweed form a thick, upright, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Forests, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Over the holidays, my family took a trip out to the west coast. As always when experiencing a new place, I'm curious to see ecosystems that differ greatly from the ones I know well. So, for the next few weeks I’ll kick off the new year ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
The purpose of consuming food is to acquire energy. It does not make sense to expend more energy to kill your prey than you will receive from consuming it; there would be a net loss. Therefore, as we mentioned in Part 2, predators select ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeBreeding is a major part of all animal life cycles, and this is no different for rattlesnakes. Like other reptiles there are separate sexes, and internal fertilization is the rule. For this to happen, during breeding season males must find ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeAll animals have a thermal range within which they can survive. For some it is very small range, for others it is amazingly large. Whatever their range is, they function best near the upper portion of it. “Warm blooded” animals (endotherms) ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Ever notice the little air bubbles that form in the wet sand after a wave retreats? These are created by thousands of coquina clams buried just under the sand. When covered by an incoming wave, they open their shells to feed and clap closed ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water, WildlifeThough encounters with Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are rare, bites from them are even more rare, and deaths from those bites almost nonexistent, it is worth discussing the issues and remedies of a bite. About 8000 people are bitten ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
As many of you know, Escambia County Extension logs snakes people encounter when out and about during their day. We do not send people out to look for them but rather log those that people encounter when doing their normal activity. The ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife